Florida Auto Exchange Stadium

History

From 1977 until 1989, the Blue Jays played at Grant Field, which had a seating capacity of 3,417. Grant Field opened in 1930 and was named after the mayor of Dunedin who had donated the land. The first Toronto Blue Jays game ever was played there on March 11, 1977 when the Blue Jays beat the New York Mets 3-1.

In 1990, at a cost of approximately $2.4 million dollars, the City of Dunedin built a new stadium called Dunedin Stadium at the same location as Grant Field. It had a capacity of 6,106. The actual playing field and team clubhouses did not change.

In the fall of 2000, the Toronto Blue Jays signed an agreement to remain in Dunedin for an additional 15 years pending a $12-million renovation. The state of Florida will pay $6 million, Pinellas County $3 million with the Jays and Dunedin paying the remainder for the renovations. Part of the renovations included a new two-story building that includes a clubhouse, training room, weight room, and office space that was built next to the stadium.

Florida Auto Exchange Stadium is ranked by Sports Illustrated as one of the top five facilities to watch a Major League Baseball Spring Training game. Dunedin has been the only spring home for the Toronto Blue Jays. Florida Auto Exchange Stadium is a community ballpark in which Dunedin residents and visitors can enjoy Toronto Blue Jays Spring Training, Dunedin Blue Jays Minor League Baseball, and various additional community events throughout the year.

The current park capacity is 5,509 individual seats and features include a press box level with air-conditioned skyboxes, three picnic areas, two air-conditioned suites, a scoreboard with electronic message display, regulation-sized Major League playing field and lighting, two half-fields (one natural grass & one artificial turf), batting tunnels, and full concession capabilities. In addition, the administrative offices feature an executive boardroom, dining room and kitchen, classroom, clubhouse and workout and training facilities.

The Bobby Mattick Training Center (located off Solon Avenue in Dunedin) features five full-sized diamonds with four configured in a cloverleaf surrounding a central viewing area with bleacher seating and concession stand. There is also an artificial turf half field. The administrative offices feature an executive boardroom, dining room and kitchen, classroom, clubhouse and workout and training facilities.
All facilities are available for rental.